As the sun sets over the Guangdong Olympic Sports Center, the 15th National Games officially kicked off a celebration of unity and innovation across south China’s Guangdong Province and the two special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macao. More than a showcase of athletic skill, this edition highlights the Greater Bay Area’s seamless blend of technology, culture and cross-border collaboration.
Pioneering Cross-Boundary Races
In a first for the Games, over 100 cyclists powered through a 231.8-kilometer course spanning the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge without braking for customs. Riders started in Zhuhai, raced across Taipa and Lantau Island, and sped back to the Chinese mainland. Thanks to radio frequency identification readers synced with the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System, checkpoints captured each athlete’s wristband signal in real time, ensuring a smooth, uninterrupted competition.
Deep-Sea Torch Relay
Innovation dove deeper when the flame was sourced from combustible ice collected at 1,522 meters beneath the South China Sea. A 4,500-meter-class submersible brought methane to the surface, where solar-powered ignition produced the Games’ inaugural deep-sea flame. It lit the torch relay across Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hong Kong and Macao, merging Olympic spirit with cutting-edge science.
High-Tech on the Ground
From the world’s first 5G-A humanoid completing a 100-meter handoff in Shenzhen to over 300 autonomous shuttles in Guangzhou and drone-driven 3D mapping by the Hong Kong Police Force, smart technologies are on display throughout the host cities. These innovations not only streamline operations but also preview a tech-empowered future for sports, culture and tourism.
Cultural Vibrancy and Volunteer Spirit
Lingnan lion dances, Cantonese opera and dragon-boat performances will light up the opening ceremony, celebrating the region’s shared heritage. More than 30 volunteers from Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao have joined forces to support the event. Li Hexiang from Macao shared, “Volunteering here expands my network and deepens our youth connections across the Greater Bay Area.”
From Playground to Wellbeing
Aligned with the Healthy China 2030 initiative, the Games underscore sports’ role in public health. Over 400 million people in China now engage in outdoor sports. With 2,678 ice and snow venues, 171,800 fitness trails stretching 407,600 kilometers, and a tripling of per capita sports space to three square meters, the Chinese mainland is turning fitness into a national movement.
As the torch lights up arenas and bridges alike, the 15th National Games are more than a competition. They’re a testament to what happens when technology, tradition and teamwork unite across borders.
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China's National Games set to showcase Greater Bay Area's integration
cgtn.com
